How to Build an ATS-Friendly Resume That Actually Gets Seen
Learn how to create a resume that passes ATS screening and lands on a recruiter's desk. Step-by-step guide with practical tips for job seekers in 2026.
Why Most Resumes Never Reach Human Eyes
You could be the perfect candidate. But if your resume can't get past the ATS, nobody will ever know.
Applicant Tracking Systems are the gatekeepers of modern hiring. They scan, parse, and rank resumes before a recruiter sees anything. Companies use them to manage hundreds—sometimes thousands—of applications per role.
The result? Up to 75% of resumes get filtered out automatically. Not because candidates aren't qualified, but because their resumes aren't optimized for these systems.
At While True Lab, we've built AI tools on both sides of recruitment. Here's exactly how to build a resume that works for the algorithm and the human behind it.
What You'll Need Before Starting
The job posting(s) you're targeting
A list of your work experience, skills, and achievements
45-60 minutes of focused time
A simple word processor (Google Docs or Microsoft Word)
Step 1: Start With a Clean, Simple Format
ATS software reads your resume like a computer reads code. Complex formatting breaks things.
What to do:
Use a single-column layout
Stick to standard fonts (Arial, Calibri, Garamond, Times New Roman)
Set font size between 10-12pt for body text, 14-16pt for headers
Use standard section headers: "Work Experience," "Education," "Skills"
Avoid tables, text boxes, images, and graphics
Keep margins between 0.5" and 1"
Pro tip: If you're using a template, test it first. Copy-paste the text into a plain text editor (like Notepad). If it looks scrambled, the ATS will struggle too.
Step 2: Write a Targeted Professional Summary
Your summary is prime real estate—it's one of the first things both ATS and recruiters scan.
What to do:
Keep it to 2-4 sentences
Include your target job title
Mention years of experience
Add 1-2 key achievements or specializations
Incorporate 2-3 keywords from the job posting
Example:
"Senior Product Manager with 7 years of experience leading cross-functional teams in B2B SaaS. Delivered 3 product launches generating $4.2M ARR. Specialized in agile development, roadmap planning, and data-driven decision making.
Pro tip: Tailor this section for every application. It takes 5 minutes and significantly improves your match score.
Step 3: Mirror Keywords From the Job Description
ATS systems match your resume against the job posting. The closer the match, the higher your score.
What to do:
Read the job description carefully
Highlight repeated skills, tools, and qualifications
Use the exact phrasing when possible (e.g., "project management" not "managing projects")
Include both spelled-out terms and acronyms (e.g., "Search Engine Optimization (SEO)")
Distribute keywords naturally throughout your resume—not just in a skills section
Where to place keywords:
Professional summary
Work experience bullet points
Skills section
Certifications (if applicable)
Pro tip: Don't keyword stuff. If a skill appears 3 times in your resume but you can't speak to it in an interview, it'll backfire.
Step 4: Structure Your Work Experience for Impact
This section carries the most weight. Make every bullet count.
What to do:
List experiences in reverse chronological order (most recent first)
Include company name, job title, location, and dates
Use 3-5 bullet points per role
Start each bullet with a strong action verb
Follow the formula: Action + Task + Result
Weak example:
"Responsible for managing the company's social media accounts
Strong example:
"Grew company Instagram following from 12K to 89K in 10 months, driving a 47% increase in website referral traffic
Action verbs that work: Led, Launched, Increased, Reduced, Built, Designed, Implemented, Optimized, Delivered, Managed, Created, Negotiated, Streamlined
Pro tip: Quantify wherever possible. Numbers catch both ATS algorithms and human eyes.
Step 5: Build a Skills Section That Scans Well
A dedicated skills section helps ATS quickly identify your competencies.
What to do:
Create a simple bulleted or comma-separated list
Group skills by category if you have many (Technical Skills, Soft Skills, Languages)
Prioritize skills mentioned in the job posting
Include tools, software, methodologies, and certifications
Remove outdated or obvious skills (Microsoft Word, email, "computer proficient")
Example format:
Technical Skills: Python, SQL, Tableau, Google Analytics, A/B Testing, Data Visualization
Methodologies: Agile, Scrum, Design Thinking, Lean Six Sigma
Languages: English (Native), Mandarin (Professional), Bahasa Indonesia (Conversational)
Pro tip: If a certification has an expiration date, include it. ATS systems sometimes filter for current credentials.
Step 6: Optimize Your Education Section
Keep this section straightforward unless you're a recent graduate.
What to do:
Include degree, institution name, and graduation year
Add relevant coursework only if you're entry-level or changing careers
Include GPA only if it's strong (3.5+) and you graduated within the last 3 years
List certifications separately or under Education
Example:
Bachelor of Science in Marketing University of Indonesia, 2019
Certifications:
Google Analytics Certified (2025)
HubSpot Inbound Marketing (2024)
Pro tip: For senior professionals, education can go at the bottom. Your experience matters more.
Step 7: Save and Name Your File Correctly
The final step is often overlooked—but it matters.
What to do:
Save as .docx for ATS upload (unless PDF is specifically requested)
If submitting PDF, ensure it's text-based (not a scanned image)
Name your file professionally:
FirstName_LastName_Resume.pdfAvoid special characters, spaces, or version numbers in the filename
Pro tip: Some ATS systems display your filename to recruiters. "John_Smith_Product_Manager.pdf" looks more professional than "resume_v3_FINAL.docx"
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Using headers or footers for contact info — Many ATS can't read these areas. Put your name and contact details in the main body.
Submitting image-based PDFs — If you designed your resume in Canva or Photoshop and exported as an image, ATS can't read it at all.
Including a photo — Unless specifically requested (common in some countries), photos can cause parsing errors and introduce bias.
Using creative section titles — "Where I've Made an Impact" is cute, but ATS looks for "Work Experience."
Results You Can Expect
A properly optimized ATS resume typically sees:
40-60% higher callback rates compared to unoptimized resumes
Better match scores for relevant positions
Faster time-to-interview for active job seekers
The biggest shift? You stop wondering why you're not hearing back. Your resume actually gets seen.
Ready to Check If Your Resume Passes ATS?
Building an ATS-friendly resume is step one. Knowing exactly how it scores against real job postings is step two.
Autoditerima analyzes your resume against your target roles, identifies ATS compatibility issues, and gives you specific fixes. You can also practice interviews with AI simulations tailored to your target position.
FAQs
Q: Should I use a resume builder or create my own?
A: Either works, as long as the output is ATS-friendly. Test any template by pasting into plain text—if formatting breaks, the ATS will struggle.
Q: How do I know if my resume passed the ATS?
A: You can't know for certain unless the company tells you. But tools like Autoditerima can score your resume against job descriptions to estimate compatibility.
Q: Is a one-page resume still required?
A: For most professionals under 10 years of experience, yes. Senior professionals may use two pages. The key rule: every line should add value.
Q: Should I include a cover letter?
A: If the application allows it, yes. Some ATS systems parse cover letters too, and it's another opportunity to include relevant keywords and show genuine interest.
Q: Can I use the same resume for every application?
A: You can use the same base resume, but always tailor your summary and keywords to each specific role. A generic resume rarely scores high enough to pass competitive ATS filters.